THE sounds of bagpipes and a watering can greeted the sun's slow rise over Swindon as the town's first Spring Festival began in style.

Around 100 people woke up bright and early to catch the Dawn Chorus' whimsical showcase of singing, storytelling, acrobatics and fire-juggling in Lawn Woods.

Hannah Feeny from Old Town brought her sons Rufus and Arlo with their dog Blue to enjoy the eclectic entertainment on offer. She said: "I've been coming to this for a few years now, I bring my boys every time and drag them out of bed, they love it, and this time the dog decided to come too. It's a lovely way to welcome the spring and start the festival, the atmosphere is nice and there's just something magical about seeing the sunrise, it's a great tradition and a fantastic experience."

Birdsong could be heard throughout the morning as the wildlife of the woods awoke, while performances were regularly punctuated with the noise of dogs barking and yelping as they ran around on the grass.

Plenty of audience participation kept children and adults alike on their toes and eager to get involved with songs from the Sun Arise Singers, music from Debbie Wolfson and Music Alive, and stories from John Row. Jacob Hi-Ho and his band of circus performers astounded the audience with an array of amazing acrobatic feats, and Daisie-May, aka Andria Walton, brought poetry and penny-whistle-playing while dressed as a fairy who offered to help visitors with their purest wishes after the show ended.

Catering from Liz M and Matthew and his Coffee Gang kept the guests warm and well-fed.

Tony Hillier ended the event by organising a slightly chaotic dance around the Maypole with two people on each ribbon before overseeing more orderly displays from the women-only and men-only dances.

He said: "It's something we look forward to as the end of winter approaches and we get ready to launch into summer, it's always worth getting up early for, the whole pageant is a picnic at dawn. It was great to see old familiar faces and new ones there, too."

Many people were regulars and keen festival followers, including a few who had been to all 19 of the Dawn Choruses held during the Swindon Festival of Literature, which has now evolved into a bigger festival which celebrates all of the arts.

People like Mandy from Old Town experienced it all for the first time. She said: "It's really charming, my favourite parts were the maypole and the music. My family have been pestering me to come along for years but I'm happy that I did and I would come back next year."

The first day of the Swindon Spring Festival also included a procession of vintage tractors through the town centre, a run and story-walk around Lydiard Park, an exhibition at the Richard Jefferies Museum and two book talks from Jog On author Bella Mackie and Wildling author Isabella Tree.

For more information, visit swindonspringfestival.co.uk